Louise E. Reithel

Age 92, was born in Lewisport, Kentucky and died February 18, 2014 in Edgewood, NM. She is survived by her children, Elaine Andersen and husband, John, Theresa Gilstrap, Bob Reithel and wife, Sherry, Cathy Wyant and husband, Chet, Brian Reithel and wife, Vicki; foster son, Shawn Perkins and wife, Tonya; 11 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; sisters, Jean Howard and June Emmick and many other family and friends. Louise was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, her parents, James & Zenada Emmick, her son, James Frederick Reithel and her granddaughter, April Reithel. Mrs. Reithel attended Western Kentucky State Teachers College where she met and married her husband, Lt. Robert James Reithel. He received a bronze star while serving in the infantry during WWII and received the rank of Lt. Col when honorably discharged. After healing from war wounds and upon completion of his graduate degree in physics at the University of Kentucky, he moved with his family in 1953 to continue his research at Los Alamos Laboratories and lived there until 1969 when they moved to Clovis, NM. Later she attended and received her LPN degree from Eastern New Mexico University, Clovis Campus. She served as a nurse at Clovis High Plains Hospital. She was a longtime member of the Daughters of the American Revolution "El Portal" Chapter in Clovis and Portales. She was a founder and charter member of the Curry County, NM genealogical society and served as secretary and president. She wrote and published two genealogical books, one on the Emmick family from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky and one on the family of Norman Petty of Clovis, NM, who was the producer for Buddy Holly. She was an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos, The Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Clovis, NM and The Shrine of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Albuquerque. She raised five children and was a loving and supportive wife and mother enduring the loss of her son, her husband and a beloved granddaughter, April. Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, February 26, 2014, 9:00 a.m. at The Shrine of St Bernadette Catholic Church, 11401 Indian School Rd. NE with burial following at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Friends may visit Tuesday, February 25, 2014, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas. Memorial contributions may be made to the NM Heart Association, 2201 San Pedro Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.